Vitex agnus-castus plant named ‘V07-SC-OP-4’

ABSTRACT

A  Vitex agnus - castus  plant named ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ has short, dense panicles and dark pink flowers.

Genus and species: Vitex agnus-castus.

Varietal denomination: The new Vitex agnus-castus claimed is of thecultivar denominated ‘V07-SC-OP-4’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Vitexagnus-castus hereinafter referred to by the varietal domination‘V07-SC-OP-4’.

Pedigree and history: Under the direction of David Knauft, seeds fromVitex agnus-castus ‘Shoal Creek’ (unpatented) were irradiated with 4krgamma radiation in 2006. These seeds were planted in Watkinsville, Ga.in 2007; a selection was made and labeled ‘SC4-01-07’ (unpatented). Thisselection was allowed to open-pollinate, and the resulting seeds weresown in 2008. Twelve seedlings germinated, and were transferred to CarolRobacker's breeding program in Griffin, Ga. in 2009. These 12 plantswere transplanted into a field plot in Griffin, Ga. in June 2009. One ofthese plants was selected for its dark pink flowers and was labeled‘V07-SC-OP-4’. This plant has been evaluated for four winters and fivesummers. Asexually propagated progeny, grown from stem cuttings, plantedin 2009 in Griffin, Ga. have also been observed. Height and width datahas been collected annually. Cold damage was assessed each spring.

Mean panicle lengths and number of panicles per compound panicle werecounted each summer. First bloom and re-bloom dates were noted eachyear. Data was collected on leaf yellowing, leaf drop, thinning, andleaf spot in July, August and September of each year.

‘V07-SC-OP-4’ plants have been grown for evaluation in an irrigatedfield plot in Griffin, Ga. These plants have been fertilized annually inthe spring. Height after five summer's growth is 335 cm. Stems areR.H.S. (Royal Horticultural Society, 2001) grey-brown N199A orgreyed-green 197A when older, round, and covered in tiny curved hairswith scattered longer curved hairs. The trunk color is a mix ofgreyed-white 156A and grey-brown 199D. Cracking and exfoliation of thetrunk or large stems is noticeable at about 5 cm diameter.

Leaves emerge with yellow-green 146A upper surface, changing to a deepergreen 137A during the summer, and becoming yellow-green 147A in thefall. Lower leaf surface is greyed-green 191B throughout the season.Leaves are palmately-compound, typically 13 cm×14 cm, with mostly sevenleaflets. Margins are entire, with acute apices and bases. The upperleaf surface has many scattered hairs, slightly glandular, while thelower surface is more densely pubescent and very glandular. Leaves areslightly waxy above, dull underneath. Venation is simple. Leafarrangement on stems is opposite.

Flower buds are red-purple 65C. Flowers occur in an elongated compoundpanicle, 14 cm long by 3 cm in diameter. At emergence and through fullbloom and fading, flowers are red-purple 63C with a darker red-purpleN66C splotch on the anterior lip. The peduncle is grayed-green 193D. Thenumber of individual flowers per inflorescence ranges from 242 on thesecondary peduncles to 588 on the main stem of the panicle. Sepals aregrayed-green 193A with purple-violet N81C streaking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘V07-SC-OP-4’ plants have been evaluated for four winters and fivesummers at the Griffin, Ga. site. Height and width data has beencollected annually. Cold damage was assessed each spring. Mean paniclelengths and number of panicles per compound panicle were counted eachsummer. First bloom and re-bloom dates were noted each year. Data wascollected on leaf yellowing, leaf drop, thinning, and leaf spot in July,August and September of each year.

‘V07-SC-OP-4’ was planted into a field plot in Griffin, Ga. in June2009, while ‘Salinas Pink’ (unpatented) was planted into the same plotin June 2011. At time of field planting, plants were rooted liners grownin one-gallon containers.

The following characteristics have been consistently observed in theoriginal plant of this new variety and in asexually propagated progenygrown from cuttings and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, theircombination forms the unique characteristics of ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ as a newand distinct cultivar. Asexual propagation by cuttings has proven thatthese characteristics are firmly fixed in succeeding asexuallypropagated generations:

-   -   1. Short, dense panicles (Table 5; FIGS. 1 and 2);    -   2. Dark pink flower (FIGS. 3 and 4).

‘V07-SC-OP-4’ is an improved pink Vitex as compared to the industrystandard ‘Salinas Pink’, the only commonly available pink Vitex.‘Salinas Pink’ is the closest variety known by the inventors to the newcultivator ‘V07-SC-OP-4’.

Comparison: Height and width were measured annually. ‘Salinas Pink’ issimilar in size to ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ (Table 1).

‘V07-SC-OP-4’ begins blooming about one week later than ‘Salinas Pink’each year (Table 2). Both have moderate repeat blooming during summerand fall (Table 3). Panicles on ‘Salinas Pink’ are much longer than‘V07-SC-OP-4’, but both have similar diameter. (Table 4, FIGS. 1, 2).However, the flowers are much closer together along the rachis of thepanicles of ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ compared to ‘Salinas Pink’, creating a paniclethat is fuller (has more flowers per linear length) (Table 5, FIGS. 1,2). Flowers of ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ are a darker red-purple (63C) than those of‘Salinas Pink’, which are a lighter purple (75C) (FIG. 2). In addition,‘V07-SC-OP-4’ has a notable darker red-purple (N66C) blotch on theanterior lip. The forms of both ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ and ‘Salinas Pink’ aresimilar (FIG. 3). A photo of ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ is shown in FIG. 4.

In comparison to its parent ‘Shoal Creek’, ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ has flowersthat are a different color and panicles that are of a different size. Atpeak bloom, ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ has red-purple 63C flowers with red-purpleN66C on their anterior lips, while ‘Shoal Creek’ has violet N88B flowerswith violet-blue N90D on their anterior lips. The panicle length of‘V07-SC-OP-4’ is on average 13.9 cm and the diameter is 3.2 cm. The‘Shoal Creek’ panicles are larger, with a mean panicle length of 24.1 cmand a diameter of 3.8 cm. ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ has one long and two to fourshort subpanicles per panicle, while ‘Shoal Creek’ has one long andthree to six short subpanicles per panicle.

Vitex agnus-castus is a deciduous shrub or small tree used inlandscapes. This drought tolerant plant may be grown in cold hardinesszones 6 through 9. During cold winters in zone 6, it may die back to theground, but will likely re-grow from the roots and produce a floweringshrub during the following summer, as flower buds are formed on newgrowth. Late spring freezes in zone 7 may also cause cold damage anddieback, but the plants recover and bloom during the summer.

‘V07-SC-OP-4’ has been and is propagated vegetatively by stem cuttings.

TABLE 1 Height and width (cm) of ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ and ‘Salinas Pink’ one,two and three years after planting in a field plot in Griffin, Georgia.Entry Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ 175 H × 240 W 235 H × 288 W 330H × 362 W ‘Salinas Pink’ 118 H × 142 W 228 H × 291 W 297 H × 370 W

TABLE 2 First bloom dates of ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ and ‘Salinas Pink’ grown inGriffin, Georgia. Entry First bloom 2011 First bloom 2012 First bloom2013 ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ 5-30 5-21 6-17 ‘Salinas Pink’ — 5-14 6-10

TABLE 3 Repeat flowering in July, August, September, and October in2011, 2012, and 2013. Entry Year July August September October-‘V07-SC-OP-4’ 2011  1* 1 3 0 2012 0 0 4 2.5 2013 3 0 3 1 ‘Salinas Pink’2011 0 1 3 2 2012 2 3 3 2 2013 1 0 0.5 0.5 *Repeat flowering was ratedusing the following scale: 0 = no flowering; 1 = 10% full bloom; 2 = 20to 30% full bloom; 3 = 40 to 50% full bloom; 4 = at least 60% fullbloom.

TABLE 4 Panicle length, diameter and number of secondary peduncles perpanicle averaged over 2011, 2012, and 2013. Measurements were made onfour typical or average-sized panicles per plant per year. Mean PanicleMean Panicle Number of secondary Entry length (cm) diameter (cm)peduncles/panicle ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ 14 3.1 Two to four ‘Salinas Pink’ 24.13.2 Two to four

TABLE 5 Distance (mm) between pedicels on the rachis of the main panicleand secondary sub-panicles. Measurements were made on four typicalpanicles. Distance Distance between Distance between between pedicels onthe bottom two pedicels on the rachis of the secondary peduncles Entrythe rachis* secondary peduncles* of the panicle ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ 11.2  5.155.4 ‘Salinas Pink’ 23.0 13.5 60.1 *Measurements were made between thesecond and third pedicels from the bottom of the sub-panicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overallappearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar of Vitexagnus-castus. The colors in the photographs are as close as possiblewith the photographic and printing technology utilized.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ (left image)during flowering and a photograph of ‘Salinas Pink’ (right image).‘V07-SC-OP-4’ has darker pink flowers than ‘Salinas Pink’. While‘Salinas Pink’ has longer panicles, the flowers on the panicles of‘V07-SC-OP-4’ are closer together and larger, creating a fuller, morefloriferous appearance.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ (left image), which has flowersthat are darker pink and closer together along the rachis than those of‘Salinas Pink’ (right image).

FIG. 3 is a photograph of ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ (top image) and ‘Salinas Pink’(bottom image) at peak bloom. In this photo, ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ had been in afield plot for five years and ‘Salinas Pink’ had been in the same plotfor three years.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ growing in plant trials in WestGrove, Pa.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the Vitex agnus-castuscultivar named ‘V07-SC-OP-4’. Data was collected in Griffin, Ga. fromthree year old plants grown from stem cuttings and growing outdoors.‘V07-SC-OP-4’ has not been tested under all possible conditions hence,phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmentalconditions without any variance in genotype.

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 5^(th) edition published byThe Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, England. Thisdescription is from observations of typical three year old plantsgrowing in Griffin, Ga.

-   Size.—335 cm tall by 395 cm wide, measured at highest and widest    point. Size is reflective of habit, i.e., 2′ by 3′ is rounded to    broad-rounded.-   Habit: Open, spreading, upright.-   Texture: Medium coarse.-   Stems:    -   -   First year.—Color: Grey-Brown N199A. Diameter: 4-5 mm.            Pubescence: covered in tiny curved hairs with scattered            longer curved hairs. Exfoliation: none. Shape: Round. Pith:            Type: Solid. Diameter: 2 mm. Color: White N155D. Odor:            strong, spicy, acrid. Internode Length: 7.0 cm.        -   Second year.—Color: Grey-Green 197A. Diameter: 7 mm.            Exfoliation: none.-   Vegetative buds:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Type.—Valvate.        -   Size.—1 mm×1 mm.        -   Scale number.—2.        -   Scale color.—Greyed-Orange 177D.        -   Position/disposition.—45°.        -   Number at node.—2, one on each side.        -   Pubescence.—Scattered short hairs.        -   Shape.—Rounded dome.-   Leaf scar:    -   -   Shape.—Cup shaped.        -   Vascular bundle traces.—3, horizontal and oval.        -   Pubescence.—Dense minute airs around perimeter.        -   Position of bud.—Just above leaf scar.        -   Color differentiation.—Yellow-Green 144A.        -   Size.—2×3 mm.-   Trunk or large stems:    -   -   Color(s).—Mix of Greyed-White 156A and Greyed-Brown 199D.        -   Size stem exfoliation begins on.—Approximately 5 cm.        -   Diameter.—2.5 to 5.0 cm.        -   Texture.—Usually smooth younger stems, cracking bark by 5.0            cm.-   Leaf:    -   -   Color through seasons.—Emerging dates: mid-April. Upper:            Yellow-Green 146A. Lower: Greyed-Green 191B. Summer dates:            mid-July. Upper: Green 137A. Lower: Greyed-Green 191B. Fall            dates: September. Upper: Yellow-Green 147A. Lower:            Greyed-Green 191B.        -   Mature size.—13 cm×14 cm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Mostly entire.        -   Shape.—Palmate, mostly 7 leaflets. Lobes: None. Sinuses:            none.        -   Vein color.—Greyed-Green 194D.        -   Pubescence.—Upper surface has many scattered hairs, with            more along the midvein, slightly glandular. Lower leaf is            more densely hairy and has a very glandular surface.        -   Arrangement on stem.—Opposite.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Texture.—Thickness: 0.3 mm. Degree of waxiness of surfaces:            slightly waxy on upper surface, completely dull on lower            surface.        -   Foliage fragrance.—Mild, spicy.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—5.5 to 7.0 cm.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Color.—Upper Yellow-Green 148C, lower Yellow-Green 145C.        -   Pubescence.—Densely covered in minute curved hairs.        -   Diameter.—2 mm.-   Leaflets: Five leaflets were measure on five leaves that had five    leaflets per leaf. The leaflets are arranged palmately, going from    small to medium to large to medium to small. Mean lengths and widths    of each of the five leaflets are as follows: 41.4 mm long, 7 mm    wide; 52.4 mm long, 10 mm wide; 66.0 mm long, 12.2 mm wide; 52.4 mm    long, 10 mm wide; 34.6 mm long, 7.6 mm wide.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size (l×w).—5 mm×3 mm.        -   Color.—Red-Purple 65C.        -   Shape.—Teardrop.        -   Pubescence.—Glandular surface, dense hairs laying flat.        -   Time of full maturity (first visible).—Early summer.        -   Time range for showiness.—Mid-June through September.-   Flower:    -   -   Inflorescence(s).—Type: elongated panicle, compound. Size:            14 cm long×3 cm wide (largest sub-panicle in the panicle);            individual floret 8 mm long×5 mm wide. Color: At emergence            (date): Red-Purple 63C with Red-Purple N66C on anterior lip.            Full bloom (date): Red-Purple 63C with Red-Purple N66C on            anterior lip. Fading (date): Red-Purple 63C with Red-Purple            N66C on anterior lip. Fragrance: mild, sweet, floral.            Peduncle: Color: Greyed-Green 193D. Pubescence: short hairs,            glandular. Number of individual flowers per inflorescence:            242-588.        -   Petal(s).—Size: 8 mm×5 mm. Shape: zygomorphic, gamopetalous,            bilabiate. Apex: 5 lobes rounded and slightly curled. Base:            funnel. Margin: slightly curled. Pubescence: scattered hairs            on edges, thickly tufted inside at base of pistil. Texture:            inside glabrous, outside scattered glandular. Color at peak            of bloom: Upper surface: Red-Purple 63C with Red-Purple N66C            on anterior lip. Lower surface: Red-Purple 65C. Pedicels:            Color (R.H.S.): Greyed-Green 193A. Pubescence: covered in            short hairs. Length: 1-2 mm.        -   Sepal(s).—Size (l×w): 3.5 mm×2 mm. Shape: united, slightly            lobed. Apex: slightly lobed. Base: united, short tubular.            Margin: smooth. Pubescence: glandular, tomentose — short            hairs. Texture: hoary. Color at peak of bloom: Upper            surface: Greyed-Green 193A with Purple-Violet N81C. Lower            surfaces: Yellow-Green 144C with Violet-Blue 93C.        -   Male reproductive structures.—Number: 4. Anther: Size (l×w):            1 mm×0.5 mm. Color: Violet 86B. Filament: Size (l×w): 5            mm×0.5 mm. Color: White N155A. Pollen color: Green-White            157D. Pubescence: thick tufted at base.        -   Female reproductive structures.—Pistil: Shape: tubular,            bifid. Size (l×w): 5 mm×0.5 mm. Position (superior,            inferior, etc.): superior. Color (RHS): Purple-Violet N80C.            Pubescence: thickly tufted hairs at base. Stigma: Shape:            round, bifid. Color (RHS): White 155C. Pubescence: none.            Style: Length: 6 mm. Shape: tubular, forked at stigma            (bifid). Color (RHS): Violet 84A. Pubescence: glabrous,            tufted at base. Ovary: Shape: round. Number: 1. Pubescence:            scattered short hairs, numerous glands present on surface.-   Fruit:    -   -   Type.—Drupe-like.        -   Size (l×w).—4 mm×3 mm.        -   Color(s) during ripening.—Early (date): Yellow-Green 154B.            Mid (date): Greyed-Orange 175B. Late (date): Brown 200A.        -   Shape.—Globular.        -   Number per infructescence.—1.        -   Pubescence.—Few scattered hairs.        -   Number of carpels.—2.        -   Persistence (effective period).—Mid to late summer through            fall into winter.-   Seed:    -   -   Shape.—Globular.        -   Size.—3.5 mm×2.5 mm, oval.        -   Color.—Brown 200A when fully ripe.        -   Number per locule per ovary per fruit.—1.        -   Germination capacity.—Not tested.        -   Pubescence.—Scattered minute hairs.-   Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to date.-   Plant hardiness: The new variety has been grown in USDA hardiness    zone 8a and has also been evaluated growing successfully in USDA    hardiness zone 6b.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Vitexagnus-castus plant named ‘V07-SC-OP-4’ substantially as illustrated anddescribed herein.